Optical disk changer with side switching capabilities

ABSTRACT

An optical disk changer that is capable of automatically playing both sides of a dual-sided optical disk. By coordinated delivery of disks between a disk reader, a disk transfer mechanism, or a disk turner and a carrousel that is approximately toroid shaped, both sides of a dual-sided optical disk can be automatically accessed.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The subject matter of the U.S. Patent Application entitled“LINEAR OPTICAL DISK CHANGER WITH SIDE SWITCHING CAPABILITIES,” filedconcurrently herewith, Application Serial No. ______, and having DocketNumber 98-02467 contains related subject matter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and methodfor automatically accessing both sides of an optical disk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Data of various types is recorded on and accessed from opticaldisks. Common optical disks include compact disks (CDs), CD-ROMs,digital versatile disks (DVDs), digital video disks (also abbreviatedDVDs), or other similar disks. Some optical disks, such as DVDs, may beeither single-sided or dual-sided. With conventional optical diskchangers, a dual-sided optical disk must be manually “flipped” betweensides in order to read data from both sides of the disk.

[0004] Three general types of optical disk changers capable of storingand reading multiple disks are known. In the first type, a number ofdisks are positioned coplanar to one another and radially about a centerrotation point on a carrousel. To read any one disk, the carrousel isrotated until the desired disk is positioned adjacent to the diskreader. To read another disk, the present disk is disengaged from thereader and the carrousel is rotated to position another disk adjacent tothe disk reader. However, such optical disk changers read only one sideof a disk. Thus, operator intervention is required to flip the disk toallow the disk reader to read the opposite side of the disk.

[0005] The second type of multiple disk changer stores optical disks ina stack with the center of each disk coaxial with the centers of theother disks. A disk to be read is rotated or translated out from thestack and engaged by a disk reader. Just as with the first type ofmultiple disk changer, the changer can read only one side of a diskunless the disk is manually flipped by a user.

[0006] The third type of multiple disk changer stores optical disksradially about a center rotation point on a carrousel, but with therotational axis of each optical disk perpendicular to the axis ofrotation of the carrousel. The resulting geometry of the plurality ofstored disks is a toroid or “donut” shape. A disk from the carrousel isread by ejecting the disk from the carrousel into a disk reader.Examples of this third type of multiple disk changer are illustrated inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,519,055, 5,067,116, 5,235,579, 5,615,184, 6,671,196,5,719,725, and 5,754,502. These changers can only read one side of theoptical disk unless the user manually flips the disk.

[0007] Therefore, although the prior art is capable of storing a largenumber of optical disks, the prior art does not provide an apparatus ormethod for reading both sides of a optical disk without manual operatorintervention. Consequently, there is a need for an apparatus and methodfor automatically reading both sides of an optical disk by effectivelyflipping a dual-sided disk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One embodiment of the invention is an optical disk changer forreading a first and a second side of an optical disk. The disk changerincludes: a base; a carrousel rotationally coupled to said base forreceiving, holding, and delivering the optical disk; and an optical diskreader attached to said base within said carrousel. The optical diskreader has a first loading mechanism on a first side of said reader anda second loading mechanism on a second side of said reader. The firstloading mechanism loads the optical disk when the first side of theoptical disk is read and the second loading mechanism loads the opticaldisk when the second side of the optical disk is read.

[0009] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of translating anoptical disk having a first side and a second side. The method includesholding the optical disk in a carrousel. If data from the first side ofthe optical disk is to be read, then the optical disk is translated to alocation within the carrousel in a first direction. If data from thesecond side of the optical disk is to be read, then the optical disk istranslated to the location in a direction opposite to the firstdirection.

[0010] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading datafrom an optical disk comprising: holding the optical disk in acarrousel; delivering the optical disk from the carrousel to a locationwithin the carrousel by translating the optical disk in a firstdirection; reading data from a first side of the optical disk;delivering the optical disk from the location to the carrousel bytranslating the optical disk in the first direction; rotating thecarrousel; loading the optical disk from the carrousel to the locationwithin the carrousel by translating the optical disk in the firstdirection; and reading data from a second side of the optical disk.

[0011] Another embodiment of the invention is an optical disk changerfor reading a first and a second side of at least one optical diskcomprising: a base; a carrousel rotationally coupled to said base forreceiving, holding, and delivering at least one optical disk; an opticaldisk reader attached to said base outside of said carrousel; and atransfer mechanism coupled to said base within said carrousel. Thetransfer mechanism has a first loading mechanism on a first side of saidtransfer mechanism for loading the optical disk into said transfermechanism and a second loading mechanism on a second side of saidtransfer mechanism for loading the optical disk into said carrousel.

[0012] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of readingdata from an optical disk comprising: holding the optical disk in acarrousel; if data from the first side of the optical disk is to beread, then delivering the optical disk to an optical reader and readingthe data; and if data from the second side of the optical disk is to beread, then delivering the optical disk to a transfer mechanism along afirst direction, delivering the optical disk to the carrousel along thefirst direction, delivering the optical disk to the optical reader, andreading the data.

[0013] Still another embodiment of the invention is an optical diskchanger for reading a first and a second side of an optical diskcomprising: a base; a carrousel rotationally coupled to said base forreceiving, holding, and delivering the optical disk; an optical diskturner rotationally coupled to said base within said carrousel forturning the optical disk, said turner having a first loading mechanismon a first side of said turner and a second loading mechanism on asecond side of said turner, the first loading mechanism for loading theoptical disk into said turner and the second loading mechanism forloading the optical disk into said carrousel after said turner has beenrotated relative to said carrousel; and an optical disk reader attachedto said base outside of said carrousel for reading the first side of theoptical disk, and for reading the second side of the optical disk thathas been turned by said optical disk turner.

[0014] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading datafrom an optical disk comprising: holding the optical disk in acarrousel; if data from the first side of the optical disk is to beread, then delivering the optical disk to an optical reader and readingthe data; and if data from the second side of the optical disk is to beread, then delivering the optical disk to a turning mechanism, rotatingthe optical disk, delivering the optical disk to the carrousel,delivering the optical disk to the optical reader, and reading the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of an optical disk changer with adisk reader within the disk carrousel.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of an optical disk changer with atransfer mechanism within the disk carrousel.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of an optical disk changer with adisk turner within the disk carrousel.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of reading data froman optical disk.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of translating anoptical disk.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of reading data froman optical disk.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of reading data froman optical disk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward anoptical disk changer that is capable of automatically playing both sidesof a dual-sided optical disk. The optical disk played may be a CD,CD-ROM, DVD, or any other such optical disk. In one embodiment of theinvention, a carrousel is employed to receive, hold, and deliver opticaldisks to an optical disk reader located in the center of the carrousel.Another embodiment of the invention positions a reader adjacent to thecarrousel, but outside of the center of the carrousel. This embodimentuses a stationary transfer mechanism to pass optical disks through thecenter of the carrousel. Still another embodiment of the invention alsoplaces the reader adjacent to, but outside of the carrousel. Thisembodiment uses an optical disk turner to turn and direct disks todesired slots of the carrousel.

[0023] Description of the First Embodiment

[0024]FIG. 1 shows an optical disk changer 101 for reading a first and asecond side of an optical disk 2. A base 3 supports a carrousel 4.

[0025] Carrousel

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the carrousel 4 is rotationally coupled tothe base 3. The carrousel 4 has slots for holding optical disks radiallyabout a center rotation point of the carrousel. The walls of these slotsshould be of sufficient stiffness so that they properly support theoptical disks. In some embodiments, walls of the slots are of constantthickness. In such embodiments, the slots would not be of constantthickness. In other embodiments, the slots are of constant thickness. Insuch embodiments, the thickness of the walls along the inner diameter ofthe carrousel 4 would be less than the thickness of the walls along theouter diameter of the carrousel 4. Exemplary slots are shown as slots13, 17, and 19. As is evident from FIG. 1, the carrousel 4 stores disksradially about a center rotation point of the carrousel with therotational axis of each optical disk substantially perpendicular to theaxis of rotation of the carrousel 4.

[0027] The carrousel 4 may also include locating surfaces along thebottom of the slots (not shown). These locating surfaces properlyposition an optical disk that is received by a user or a disk reader. Inaddition, the locating surfaces also keep an optical disk that is beingheld in a carrousel 4 from exiting a slot in the carrousel 4 when thecarrousel 4 rotates. Further, these locating surfaces provide a preciseposition for an optical disk that is to be delivered to a disk reader.Locating surfaces are known in the art.

[0028] The carrousel 4 may be constructed from a variety of materials.However, it may be optimal to mold the carrousel 4 from plastic.

[0029] Optical Disk Reader

[0030] Referring again to FIG. 1, an optical disk reader 105 is shown.As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disk reader 105 is located “within” thecarrousel 4, i.e., at least a portion of the disk reader 105 is locatedin the volume defined by the inner edges of the slots of the carrousel4. The optical disk reader 105 includes conventional sensors andelectronics for reading an optical disk. In addition, the reader 105includes a first loading mechanism 106 that is located on a first sideof the reader 105. The first loading mechanism 106 may be formed by twosubstantially parallel cylinders that cooperatively rotate to move theoptical disk.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first loading mechanism106 also includes a first ejector arm 10. The first ejector arm 10 mayrotate in a bearing or retaining clip about its lower end to push a diskout of the slot 13 and into the grasp of the substantially parallelcylinders of the first loading mechanism 106. Alternatively, the firstejector arm 10 may rotate about its upper end or may even be coupled toa mechanism that translates the entire ejector arm 10. In addition,other conventional loading mechanisms may be used. Any loading mechanismthat loads the disk 2 from the carrousel 4 into the reader 105 with orwithout use of an ejector arm will suffice.

[0032] The disk reader 105 also contains a second loading mechanism 107on the second side of the disk reader 105. This loading mechanism issimilar to the first loading mechanism. Similar to the first ejector arm10, a second ejector arm 12 cooperates with the second loading mechanism107 to load an optical disk from the second side of the disk reader 105.

[0033] Method of Operating the First Embodiment of the Invention

[0034] One embodiment of the invention is a method of reading data froman optical disk. This method, which is shown in FIG. 4, may be performedby the disk changer 101 shown in FIG. 1. First, an optical disk that isbeing held in a carrousel is delivered from the carrousel into a readerwithin the carrousel by translating the disk in a first direction.

[0035] Next, data from a first side of the disk is read. After data fromthe first side of the disk is read or upon operator command, the disk isunloaded from the reader and delivered to the carrousel by translatingthe disk in the first direction. In some embodiments, the carrousel isrotated one hundred eighty degrees so that the optical disk is deliveredinto the slot in the carrousel that originally held the disk. In otherembodiments, the disk is delivered to another empty slot in thecarrousel. The carrousel is then rotated. In some embodiments, thecarrousel will be rotated one hundred eighty degrees. Next, the disk isloaded from the carrousel to the reader by translating the optical diskin the first direction.

[0036] Then, data from the second side of the optical disk may be read.After data from the second side of the disk is read or upon operatorcommand, the disk is unloaded from the reader and delivered in the firstdirection from the location within the carrousel back into the carrouselby the second disk loading mechanism.

[0037] Another Method of Operating the First Embodiment of the Invention

[0038] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In thisembodiment, an optical disk is held in a carrousel. If data from thefirst side of the optical disk is to be read, then the carrousel isrotated to align the disk with the first transfer mechanism. Then, theoptical disk is delivered to the disk reader by translating the disk ina first direction. After reading the data on the first side of the disk,the disk may be delivered to the carrousel by translating the disk in adirection opposite to the first direction.

[0039] On the other hand, if data from the second side of the opticaldisk is to be read, then the carrousel is rotated to align the disk withthe second transfer mechanism. Then, the optical disk is delivered tothe disk reader by translating the optical disk to the disk reader in adirection opposite to the first direction. After reading the data on thesecond side of the disk, the disk may be delivered to the carrousel bytranslating the disk in the first direction.

[0040] Description of the Second Embodiment

[0041]FIG. 2 shows an optical disk changer 201 for reading a first and asecond side of an optical disk 2. As in the first embodiment, a base 3supports a carrousel 4. The base and carrousel of the second embodimentare substantially identical to the base and carrousel described in thefirst embodiment.

[0042] Optical Disk Reader

[0043] An optical disk reader 8 is positioned adjacent to the carrousel,but outside of the carrousel. The optical disk reader 8 includesconventional sensors and electronics for reading an optical disk. Inaddition, the reader 8 includes a loading mechanism 9 that is located ona side of the reader 105 adjacent to the carrousel. The loadingmechanism 9 may be formed by two substantially parallel cylinders thatcooperatively rotate to move the optical disk.

[0044] The loading mechanism 9 may also include an ejector arm (notshown) that operates from within the carrousel 4 to push a disk out ofthe slot shown as slot 19 and into the grasp of the substantiallyparallel cylinders of the loading mechanism 9. The ejector arm issimilar to the ejector arms 10 and 12 described in the first embodimentabove. In addition, other conventional loading mechanisms may be used.Any loading mechanism that loads the disk 2 from the carrousel 4 intothe reader 8 with or without use of an ejector arm will suffice.

[0045] Transfer Mechanism

[0046] The second embodiment uses a stationary transfer mechanism 205 topass an optical disk through the center of the carrousel 4. The transfermechanism 205 has a first loading mechanism 206 that is similar inconstruction to the first loading mechanism 106 of the first embodimentand a second loading mechanism 207 that is similar in construction tothe second loading mechanism 107 of the first embodiment. The transfermechanisms of the embodiment specifically described here differ fromthose of the first embodiment in that they function to pass an opticaldisk 2 only in a first direction.

[0047] Just as with the first embodiment, the first ejector arm 10 maybe used to push a disk 2 from a slot of the carrousel 4 and position thedisk in a position to be loaded by the first loading mechanism 206. Aswith the first embodiment, any loading mechanism that loads the disk 2from the carrousel 4 into the transfer mechanism 205 with or without useof an ejector arm will suffice.

[0048] Method of Operating the Second Embodiment of the Invention

[0049] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of reading datafrom an optical disk. This method, which is shown in FIG. 6, may beperformed by the disk changer 201 shown in FIG. 2. If data from thefirst side of the optical disk that is held in the carrousel is to beread, the optical disk is delivered to the optical reader. This deliverymay be effectuated by rotating the carrousel to align a disk with theloading mechanism of the reader then translating the disk into thereader. At this point, the data from the first side of the disk may beread. After reading, the disk may then be returned to the carrousel.

[0050] If data from the second side of the optical disk is to be read,the carrousel is rotated so that the disk is adjacent to the firstloading mechanism of the transfer mechanism. The disk is delivered in afirst direction to the transfer mechanism. The disk can then be held inthe transfer mechanism until the carrousel is rotated to align a desiredslot with the second side of the transfer mechanism. The disk is thendelivered to the carrousel by employing the second loading mechanism todeliver the disk to the carrousel in the first direction. Subsequently,the carrousel is rotated to align the disk with the reader. The disk canthen be loaded and data on the second side of the disk can be read.

[0051] Description of the Third Embodiment

[0052]FIG. 3 shows an optical disk changer 301 for reading a first and asecond side of an optical disk 2. As in the second embodiment, a base 3supports a carrousel 4 and an optical disk reader 8. The base,carrousel, and optical disk reader of the third embodiment aresubstantially similar to the base, carrousel, and optical disk readerdescribed in the second embodiment.

[0053] Optical Disk Turner

[0054] The optical disk turner 305 includes a first loading mechanism306 and a second loading mechanism 307 that are similar to the firstloading mechanism 206 and the second loading mechanism 207 of the secondembodiment. However, the optical disk turner 305 is capable of rotatingabout its center vertical axis relative to the base 3 and the carrousel4.

[0055] Method of Operating the Third Embodiment of the Invention

[0056] Still another embodiment of the invention is a method of readingdata from an optical disk. This method, which is shown in FIG. 7, may beperformed by the disk changer 301 shown in FIG. 3. If data from thefirst side of the optical disk is to be read, the disk is delivered tothe reader and played as described in the method of the secondembodiment above.

[0057] However, if data from the second side of the disk is to be read,the carrousel is rotated to align the disk with the first loadingmechanism of the disk turner. The disk is then delivered to the turningmechanism by translating the disk in a first direction. The disk is thenrotated by the disk turner. Next, the disk is delivered to the carrouselby translating the disk in a direction opposite to the first direction.Subsequently, the carrousel is rotated to align the disk with thereader. The disk can then be delivered to the reader and the reader canread data on the second side of the disk.

[0058] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modification may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the claims.

[0059] Advantages of the Invention

[0060] An advantage of some embodiments of the present invention is thatthey provide for fully automatic reading of dual-sided optical disks. Asan increasing number of optical disks contain data on both sides of thedisk, the need for automatic reading of both sides of a disk will beaccentuated. For instance, a dual-sided DVD that is not automaticallychanged would require operator intervention at the end of the playing ofthe first side before the balance of the video could be viewed.

[0061] Another advantage of the invention is that with an identicalstorage volume the invention enables access by any automated device totwice as much digital information. To be truly automated, an automatedoptical disk device must necessarily be able to access all of the datastored on the disks within the automated system. With prior technology,dual-sided disks could not be accessed without operator intervention.Thus, for automatic operation, single-sided disks would be required.Therefore, with the present invention, half as much storage volume isrequired to effectively operate an automated optical disk device.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical disk changer for reading a first and asecond side of an optical disk comprising: (a) a base; (b) a carrouselrotationally coupled to said base for receiving, holding, and deliveringthe optical disk; and (c) an optical disk reader attached to said basewithin said carrousel, the reader having a first loading mechanism on afirst side of said reader and a second loading mechanism on a secondside of said reader, the first loading mechanism for loading the opticaldisk when the first side of the optical disk is read and the secondloading mechanism for loading the optical disk when the second side ofthe optical disk is read.
 2. The optical disk changer of claim 1 whereinthe optical disk is a dual-sided DVD.
 3. The optical disk changer ofclaim 1 wherein said carrousel holds disks radially about a centerrotation point of said carrousel with the rotational axis of eachoptical disk substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of thecarrousel.
 4. The optical disk changer of claim 3 wherein said carrouselhas slots for holding a plurality of disks.
 5. The optical disk changerof claim 1 wherein the first loading mechanism includes twosubstantially parallel cylinders that cooperatively rotate to move theoptical disk into and out of said optical disk reader and the secondloading mechanism includes two substantially parallel cylinders thatcooperatively rotate to move the optical disk into and out of saidoptical disk reader.
 6. The optical disk changer of claim 1 furthercomprising a first ejector arm for pushing the optical disk from saidcarrousel along a first direction.
 7. The optical disk changer of claim6 further comprising a second ejector arm for pushing the optical diskfrom said carrousel along a direction opposite to the first direction.8. An optical disk changer for reading a first and a second side of atleast one optical disk comprising: (a) a base; (b) a carrouselrotationally coupled to said base for receiving, holding, and deliveringat least one optical disk; (c) an optical disk reader attached to saidbase outside of said carrousel; and (d) a transfer mechanism coupled tosaid base within said carrousel, said transfer mechanism having a firstloading mechanism on a first side of said transfer mechanism for loadingthe optical disk into said transfer mechanism and a second loadingmechanism on a second side of said transfer mechanism for loading theoptical disk into said carrousel.
 9. The optical disk changer of claim 8wherein the optical disk is a dual-sided DVD.
 10. The optical diskchanger of claim 8 wherein said carrousel holds disks radially about acenter rotation point of said carrousel with the rotational axis of eachoptical disk perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the carrousel. 11.The optical disk changer of claim 10 wherein said carrousel has outerslots through which optical disks are received and delivered and innerslots through which optical disks are received and delivered.
 12. Theoptical disk changer of claim 8 wherein the first loading mechanism isformed by two substantially parallel cylinders that cooperatively rotateto move the optical disk into said transfer mechanism and the secondloading mechanism is formed by two substantially parallel cylinders thatcooperatively rotate to move the optical disk out of said transfermechanism.
 13. The optical disk changer of claim 8 further comprising anejector arm for urging the optical disk from said carrousel into thefirst side of said transfer mechanism.
 14. The optical disk changer ofclaim 8 further comprising an ejector arm for urging the optical diskfrom said carrousel into said optical disk reader.
 15. An optical diskchanger for reading a first and a second side of an optical diskcomprising: (a) a base; (b) a carrousel rotationally coupled to saidbase for receiving, holding, and delivering the optical disk; (c) anoptical disk turner rotationally coupled to said base within saidcarrousel for turning the optical disk, said turner having a firstloading mechanism on a first side of said turner and a second loadingmechanism on a second side of said turner, the first loading mechanismfor loading the optical disk into said turner and the second loadingmechanism for loading the optical disk into said carrousel after saidturner has been rotated relative to said carrousel; and (d) an opticaldisk reader attached to said base outside of said carrousel for readingthe first side of the optical disk, and for reading the second side ofthe optical disk that has been turned by said optical disk turner. 16.The optical disk changer of claim 15 wherein the optical disk changed isa dual-sided DVD.
 17. The optical disk changer of claim 15 wherein saidcarrousel stores disks radially about a center rotation point of saidcarrousel with the rotational axis of each optical disk perpendicular tothe axis of rotation of the carrousel.
 18. The optical disk changer ofclaim 17 wherein said carrousel has outer slots through which opticaldisks are received and delivered and inner slots through which opticaldisks are received and delivered.
 19. The optical disk changer of claim15 wherein the first loading mechanism is formed by two substantiallyparallel cylinders that cooperatively rotate to move the optical diskinto and out of said optical disk turner and the second loadingmechanism is formed by two substantially parallel cylinders thatcooperatively rotate to move the optical disk into and out of saidoptical disk turner.
 20. The optical disk changer of claim 15 furthercomprising an ejector arm for urging the optical disk from saidcarrousel into the first side of said optical disk turner.
 21. Theoptical disk changer of claim 15 further comprising an ejector arm forurging the optical disk from said carrousel into said optical diskreader.
 22. A method of translating an optical disk comprising: (a)translating the optical disk from a carrousel to a disk reader along afirst direction; and (b) translating the optical disk from the diskreader to the carrousel along the first direction.
 23. A method ofreading data from an optical disk comprising: (a) holding the opticaldisk in a carrousel; (b) delivering the optical disk from the carrouselto a location within the carrousel by translating the optical disk in afirst direction; (c) reading data from a first side of the optical disk;(d) delivering the optical disk from the location to the carrousel bytranslating the optical disk in the first direction; (e) rotating thecarrousel; (f) loading the optical disk from the carrousel to thelocation within the carrousel by translating the optical disk in thefirst direction; and (g) reading data from a second side of the opticaldisk.
 24. A method of translating an optical disk having a first sideand a second side comprising: (a) holding the optical disk in acarrousel; (b) if data from the first side of the optical disk is to beread, then translating the optical disk to a location within thecarrousel in a first direction; and (c) if data from the second side ofthe optical disk is to be read, then translating the optical disk to thelocation in a direction opposite to the first direction.
 25. A method ofdelivering an optical disk into a carrousel comprising: (a) holding theoptical disk in a carrousel; (b) delivering the optical disk from thecarrousel to a location within the carrousel by translating the opticaldisk in a first direction; (c) rotating the disk; and (d) delivering theoptical disk from the location to the carrousel by translating theoptical disk in a direction opposite to the first direction.
 26. Amethod of reading data from an optical disk comprising: (a) holding theoptical disk in a carrousel; (b) if data from the first side of theoptical disk is to be read, then delivering the optical disk to anoptical reader and reading the data; and (c) if data from the secondside of the optical disk is to be read, then delivering the optical diskto a transfer mechanism along a first direction, delivering the opticaldisk to the carrousel along the first direction, delivering the opticaldisk to the optical reader, and reading the data.
 27. A method ofreading data from an optical disk comprising: (a) holding the opticaldisk in a carrousel; (b) if data from the first side of the optical diskis to be read, then delivering the optical disk to an optical reader andreading the data; and (c) if data from the second side of the opticaldisk is to be read, then delivering the optical disk to a turningmechanism, rotating the optical disk, delivering the optical disk to thecarrousel, delivering the optical disk to the optical reader, andreading the data.